Lymphatic System Flashcards
What is the key function of the lymphatic system?
Immune defense and transport and drainage of excess fluids, proteins, cellular debris from interstitial spaces
plays a role in maintaining homeostasis
What kind of system is the lymphatic?
“drainage or sanitation” system
one-way system designed to transport lymph through a system of deep/superficial vessels and lymph nodes
What does the lymphatic system include?
- nodes
- thymus
- bone marrow
- spleen
- tonsils
- Peyer patches of small intestine
What is the normal functions of lympathic system?
- remove waste products
- remove excess fluid
- alert the immune system
- return fluid and plasma proteins to the blood
What is transport capacity?
Amount of fluid the system can move when working at max intensity
Under normal conditions, what percentage does transport capacity work at?
~ 10% of normal capacity
What is functional reserve?
The difference between the TC and amount of fluid that is being transported at rest
known as the “lymphatic load” (LL)
What are the causes of lympathic system insufficiency?
- Dynamic
- Mechanical
- Combined
What is dynamic insufficiency?
literally anything that needs the LL to work harder
Ex: ankle sprains
What is mechanical insufficiency?
Damage to the lympathic system = unable to handle the increased LL
- anything that reduces the transport capacity = lower ability to get fluid out
Ex: surgery, infection or trauma
When does lymphedma develop?
When the TC drops below the LL amount = fluid build up in subcutaneous tissue
Lymphedema
high protein causes what?
Fibrosis and sclerosis of the tissues and increases risk of infection
- progressive disorder if left untreated
Lymphedema
What is the primary diagnosis?
Caused from abnormally developed lymphatic system (congential)
Lymphedema
What is the secondary diagnosis?
Caused from known injury to the system
Lymphedema
What are the risk factors?
- excess weight increases the risk
- significant factors for developing lymphedema which includes arm infection/injury